I quickly drove to the coffee shop and got out. I walked inside with Sierra. Olivia waved animatedly to us and quickly put her apron down. She walked us over to a corner table. Freya said, “I feel the need to say if you hadn’t taught her how to conceal herself Magnus would’ve scented her.”
I replied, “Well… it was how I knew she was from one of the powerful Fairy lines… because it worked.” Freya snickered. Olivia greeted, “Hi, guys! Mel, your wedding was so beautiful. Sierra sent me pictures of the reception, and I watched the livestream of the ceremony.”
Olivia looked at her feet saying, “I was going to come. I got ready and everything… but it I knew it would a be big event. You sent me the guest list, and I just panicked.” I assured her, “It’s fine, Olivia. I’m happy you got ready. That’s a big step… and you took it for me. You tried and that’s… all I’ve ever wanted.”
Olivia sighed in relief, “You’re not mad?” I told her honestly, “Of course not. I knew there was a small chance you’d make it… you tried… but I’m actually here about your possible mate.” Olivia’s jaw dropped. Abigail said, “We were going to ease into that.”
Sierran laughed, “Melanie has no ease, she rips off the band aid.” Abigail admitted, “I did know that.” Olivia whispered, “Me? Really? You think I have a mate?” Sierra snorted, “Of course you do.” I bit my lip because I understood why Olivia didn’t think so.
I reasoned, “Si, she wasn’t raised as a Supernatural or part of a pack. Then she was taken and told she was mutt. That’s the lie the Ring spreads to their subjects. It’s a lot to take in. Anyway, Olivia, you absolutely have a mate. You barely have any human blood… also… I think we know who your mate is.”
Olivia sighed, “Can’t I just stick with watching Mav from afar? I’m not sure I want a mate.” Sierra snickered. I asked, “And if your mate is Maverick?” Olivia gasped and her eyes brightened with visible excitement.
Abigail said, “Nothing says he’s definitely your mate like you wanting to give up a fated mate just to watch the man from afar.” My Gamma Female had a point. Olivia whispered, “Really? No, there’s no way. He’s so handsome and…”
I interrupted, “He’d be lucky if you were his mate. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and nice. You have a mind for strategy and science.” Olivia blushed, “I just don’t know if someone like him would be with someone like me.” I shrugged, “Well… he does… considering he wants to meet you.”
Olivia immediately squealed, “You told him about me? Oh my god! Oh my god! I smell like coffee!” Abigail said, “Trust me, he doesn’t care. Maverick’s been up all night trying to see if he can put himself into danger to get you to show up.”
Olivia gasped, “He can’t do that!” I replied, “He wasn’t… I mean… I wouldn’t… it wouldn’t have happened.” Olivia replied, “I can’t meet him right now. I will repeat, I smell like coffee and not myself.” I laughed, “We can go to your house, you can shower, and the charm will wear off… just don’t redo it like you have been… then you’ll smell like you, and the problem is solved.”
Abigail chuckled, “You have never met a problem you can’t solve. Have you?” I reasoned, “Everything has solutions… but yes… personal situations I’m not so good at resolving.” Sierra said, “We should definitely go to Olivia’s because she should probably pack a bag in case.”
I snorted, “Maverick would just conjure her things. Why waste time packing?” Olivia admitted, “I have the PERFECT outfit! I bought it on a whim. A crazy Mav meeting whim fantasy outfit.” Sierra asked, “What the hell is a Maverick meeting whim?”
I snorted, “Her outfit she wanted to wear in case she decided to bump into him.” Olivia smiled, “Exactly. I should’ve known you’d get it, Mel.” I laughed, “I did not get to wear my Xander meeting whim outfit. Someone should get to wear theirs. Let’s go back to your place after you eat something.”
Olivia shook her head, “Oh no. I couldn’t eat anything. I am meeting Mav, and you think he’s mine.” I sighed and bought hera scone. I handed it to her, and she silently ate it. Abigail chimed back in, “About this meeting Xander outfit you mentioned. Where is it?”
I replied, “At a facility I own.” Sierra linked me, “Which one?” I answered, “Well… one in North Carolina… because Xander vacations there.” He vacationed a lot of places, but his GPS told me he went there a lot. Sierra hummed in reply.
We all got into my car. Olivia asked, “When did you buy this car, Mel?” I started the car and told her, “Xander bought it for me.” Olivia sighed dreamily, “You guys are just too cute. I’m so glad you’re finally with him.” I was too.
Olivia cleared her throat, “Not to alarm you, but we are being followed.” I laughed, “Yup. Those are three pack guards and three Hackura guards.” Olivia’s eyes widened. Abigail said, “Yet somehow it’s not enough to guard you, Mel.”
I snorted, “If by that you mean I get away from them… that was a forgone conclusion. Having six people on me is in fact overkill.” Olivia whispered, “Wow. Your Xander does not mess around about your security.”
I laughed, “Sadly, no he does not… so statistically he’s going to be upset every time I ditch them… which will probably be a lot.” Freya cooed, “I am all for it because we will get in trouble. How fun.” Olivia smirked asking, “How many times have you slipped them already?” I laughed, “Not as many times as I will in the future... but a few times.” Olivia laughed heartily.
We walked into my friend’s house I’d bought for her in a safe, gated community and waited for Olivia to come out after she showered. When she did come out my jaw dropped. Olivia was in a tight, long sleeve dress that came to her mid-thigh. It was red and black checkered and had cut outs on the side, paired with black boots.
Olivia asked, “What do you think?” I said, “I think dang… you’re hot! Mav is going to… umm… lose it… in a good way.”Freya snorted, “You mean Magnus is going to claim her. It’s good for the men to lose their minds over us.” Well… yes. I did mean he was going to claim her. Sierra laughed, “Agreed.”
Abigail cat called, “Damn, Olivia! You’re hot girlfriend!” Olivia smiled admitting, “This used to be more of my style before things happened. I could change.” I quickly said, “Absolutely not! You’re wearing your Maverick outfit… he will quite literally lose his mind…. and my wolf says that’s a good thing… that men need to have happen.”
Olivia sighed, “What if he’s not my mate?” I told her, “I’m fairly certain he is, but he’ll still fall over you even if he’s not.” Olivia giggled but I was serious. Sierra laughed, “I knew there was a curvy miss under your usual layers.”
Olivia smiled, “Yeah, I’ve been trying to buy more ‘me’ outfits. I feel comfortable again and with Mav, I just feel like myself.” I smiled because that comment made me feel he was definitely her mate. Freya said, “Might I remind you, like our big brother did, you are often right.” Yeah well… I didn’t want to be wrong and crush people.
We drove back to the main house and quickly got her inside without anyone noticing. I linked Egres “You joined the pack, right? I mean… I know you did. Ok, I’m going to start over… you made sure the area was clear… didn’t you?”
Egres replied, “I did join the pack, but you knew that. We will make sure Duchess Olivia is comfortable any chance we get. Gordon coordinated with KJ to make sure everything was clear for her. I know you could have her shimmered inside, or popped, but she should get to the see the territory. It’s beautiful.” He was right.
I replied, “Well… that’s super sweet of you… and I do hope she’s a Duchess. It’s just that people act like I’m right about mates and…” Egres cut me off, “You are the white wolf, and you have excellent intuition. That’s actually something I knew aboutyou before we met. Every pair you said was cute, were fated mates.” Well… ok then.
Sierra said, “I’ll go find out where Maverick is.” Olivia sat down on the couch in my room and laughed to herself. Olivia whispered, “I can’t believe I’m going to meet Mav, and he wants to meet me.” Abigail snorted, “He practically begged Melanie here for the chance to meet you, actually.”
I smiled saying, “He really does want to meet you. If, for no other reason, than to thank you because he knows you've been protecting him.” Sierra came back in announcing, “Maverick’s in the gym.” That would not have been my guess for where he was.
